San Jacinto Plaza facts for kids
San Jacinto Plaza is a special park located in the heart of Downtown El Paso, Texas. You can find it at the corner of Oregon and Mills streets. This historic park has been a popular spot for people in El Paso for a very long time.
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A Look Back: The Plaza's History
Long ago, when the U.S. government first set up a post near El Paso, soldiers used this area for training. In 1881, the city of El Paso bought the land where the Plaza now stands. The land was once part of a ranch owned by Juan Maria Ponce de Leon.
The city cleaned up the dry, sandy area. In 1903, the City Council officially named the park San Jacinto Plaza. This name honors the famous Battle of San Jacinto. This battle was a key moment when Texas fought for its independence.
Around 1883, a man named J. Fisher Satterwaite helped make the park beautiful. They put up a fence, built a pond, and added a gazebo. They also planted 75 Chinese Elm trees. Mr. Satterthwaite then brought three alligators to live in the pond!
During the Mexican Revolution in the 1910s, some decorative cannons in the park were taken. They were used in the conflict.
The Famous Alligators
The alligators quickly became the main attraction at the Plaza. At one point, there were as many as seven alligators in the pond. Visitors loved to sit by the pond and watch them. These reptiles became a big part of El Paso's culture.
People even played pranks with the alligators! In 1952, an alligator named Oscar was moved to Texas Western College. Someone put him in a geology professor's office as a joke. Another time, an alligator was found in the college swimming pool right before a swim meet.
One of the first alligators, Sally, was part of a weight-guessing contest. The person who guessed closest won $100 and a trip to Mexico. In 1952, Minnie, a 54-year-old female alligator, laid an egg. Spectators were excited to see Minnie protect her egg as park employees cleaned the pond.
Sadly, in March 1953, Oscar was found dead. Vandals had taken him out and thrown him back into the pond. Later that year, two new alligators, Jack and Jill, were donated to the Plaza.
The alligators were finally moved to the El Paso Zoo in 1965. They briefly returned in 1972 but were moved again in 1974 because of vandals. The pond was removed permanently soon after.
Many people still call the plaza "La Plaza de los Lagartos," which means "Alligator Plaza." Today, a fiberglass sculpture by local artist Luis Jiménez honors the original alligators.
Special Features of the Plaza
Another interesting feature in the 1950s was a statue called “The Boy with the Leaking Boot.” This statue had been in City Hall Park for 50 years before moving to San Jacinto Plaza. There, it was surrounded by a moat and guarded by the alligators. Today, the statue is on the first floor of El Paso's Museum of History.
The Plaza has always been a place for people to gather. In August 1952, a group of Baptist ministers held gatherings in the park. Hundreds of people came to these events.
Since 1954, the city's traditional christmas tree lighting has started the Christmas season in El Paso. Mayor Fred Hervey was the first to light the thousands of colorful lights. These lights covered the tree, fountains, and nativity scenes. Thousands of El Pasoans watched this ceremony, which included music and a master of ceremony.
San Jacinto Plaza has also always been a transportation hub in El Paso. In 1907, horse-drawn carriages lined up around the Plaza. Before buses, trolleys made their daily stops here. In the 1950s, the Plaza became a major stop for city buses. It was also a pick-up point for private transportation like taxicabs.
San Jacinto Plaza Today
San Jacinto Plaza continues to be a central spot in downtown El Paso. Like many public places, it has faced some challenges. The plaza has been remodeled several times over the years. It is still a transportation center, and many people sit on its benches daily. Friends still meet there to eat and socialize.
In recent years, there have been concerns about people gathering in the park. The city has worked to improve the park. In 2003, the entire park was cleaned and rebuilt.
Recent Renovations
As of February 2016, the park was undergoing a big renovation project. This project cost $5.3 million. The money came from "quality of life bonds" approved by El Paso citizens in 2012. Funding also came from special zones created by the City Council to attract new investments.
For several months, workers dug up areas for new irrigation systems. They also added 10 feet of park space on all sides. New sidewalks and drainage systems were also part of this first phase. The second phase of the renovation started in February 2014. This phase added new features like a café, a huacha court, a reflecting pool, and a splash pad. Workers also installed new benches, landscaping, and irrigation.
The Final Project
The renovation of San Jacinto Plaza faced many delays. These included changes to the design and shipping delays. These issues pushed the completion date back more than a year. The park was originally supposed to be finished in February 2015. However, it was not completed until April 2016.
Because of these delays, Mayor Oscar Leeser stated that the city would charge the contracting company for the extra time.
The official reopening date was April 16, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. A ceremony was held at the Plaza in downtown El Paso. This was followed by a celebration from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
